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THE NOLAN HOME WAS DESIGNED TO FIT INTO AND COMPLEMENT
THE BUILDING SITE’S NATURAL LANDSCAPE, WHICH FEATURES
TALL EVERGREENS, NATIVE GRASSES, AND A STUNNING VIEW OF
THE SPANISH PEAKS. CEDAR SHAKES AND COPPER ACCENTS
ON THE ROOF, LOG AND TIMBER ELEMENTS, AND NATURAL STONE
ACCENTS BLEND BEAUTIFULLY WITH THE SURROUNDINGS.
Big Sky Beauty
A California family finds rustic charm in a Montana retreat.
ALTHOUGH TOM AND MARIANN NOLAN OWNED A VACATION LOG HOME IN
Big Sky, Montana, the construction of a new log and timber home taking place nearby
several years ago captured their imaginations. With a style reminiscent of the architecture
found in Yellowstone National Park, Bear Basin Ranch seemed the perfect retreat.
“We visited Bear Basin often during the building stage, and we were impressed
with the quality and the architecture,” says Tom Nolan, whose primary home is in California.
“It was a pretty special place in a beautiful setting.”
BY KAREN DOSS BOWMAN i PHOTOGRAPHY BY KARL NEUMANN
LOG CABIN HOMES 45
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THOUGH EXPANSIVE, THE GREAT ROOM IS DIVIDED INTO SMALL NOOKS WHERE FAMILY
MEMBERS AND GUESTS CAN BREAK INTO SEPARATE ACTIVITIES AND CONVERSATIONS.
The couple soon learned that Bear Basin Ranch was being built on speculation by Montana investor and developer Bob Olson, who set out to create an exquisite home of unmatched quality and style that would appeal to
just the right buyer. The Nolans decided to purchase the home, and it
became theirs in January 2008.
Situated at 6,500 feet above sea level, the home is tucked into a fouracre site in Bear Basin featuring dramatic views of the surrounding Spanish
Peaks mountain range. With nearly 6,000 livable square feet, the home is
tucked into the natural landscape, showcasing beautiful evergreens, native
grasses, and a backyard drop-off to a stream, which is a finger of the
Gallatin River.
“You have the advantage of listening to the river at night, and the beautiful environment that’s found in Big Sky,” Tom says. “Whether or not it’s a
throwback to playing with Lincoln Logs as a young boy, this certainly was a
dream come true for us.”
Produced by Durfeld Log and Timber in British Columbia and built by
Beartooth Builders of Livingston, Montana, the Nolan home is a log and timber hybrid system constructed out of cedar logs. Heavy sand chinking
between rows of thick log planks complements the home’s massive timbers
and enhances its rustic charm, explains architect Jamie Daugaard of Centre
Sky Architecture, who designed the home.
Following Olson’s vision, Daugaard set out to achieve the architectural
style of a mountain lodge and the effect of a ranch cabin reminiscent of
46 LOG CABIN HOMES
THE GREAT ROOM FIREPLACE, MADE OUT OF
STACKED NATURAL STONE AND FEATURING A
HAND-FORGED IRON SCREEN, IS A FOCAL
POINT OF THE MAIN LIVING LEVEL, PROVIDING
AN INVITING SPOT FOR THE HOMEOWNERS TO
ENTERTAIN GUESTS OR RELAX ON COLD
WINTER EVENINGS. THE CUSTOM-DESIGNED
POOL TABLE, BY DRAWKNIFE BILLIARDS IN
TETONIA, IDAHO, PROVIDES A RELAXING
SPACE WITH AN OPTIMAL VIEW OF THE
OUTDOORS THROUGH THE WALL OF WINDOWS.
A ROW OF CLERESTORY WINDOWS ABOVE
ALLOWS IN ADDITIONAL NATURAL LIGHT.
LOG CABIN HOMES
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THOUGH THE DINING ROOM FLOWS INTO BEAR BASIN RANCH’S OPEN FLOORPLAN, THE SPACE WAS FLANKED WITH LARGE LOG COLUMNS TO CREATE A SNUG
ALCOVE WHERE THE FAMILY CAN GATHER AROUND THE HAND-CARVED DINING ROOM TABLE, FEATURING AN ORNATE PINECONE SUPPORT, AFTER A BUSY DAY.
Odegard of Lisa Marie Design, Inc., in Big Sky, Montana.
America’s national parks, particularly nearby Yellowstone. He
Odegard carefully planned every interior feature—from cabidesigned ceiling lines slightly lower than one might find in most
netry, tiles, and windows to lighting, paint finishes, furniture,
log homes, for example, while keeping a height that would
and original artwork—envisioning a style she calls “Rocky
expose the beauty of the roof’s thick beams and trusses.
Mountain elegance.” The result: a look that will remain fresh
Clerestory windows in the great room allow the warmth of natand inviting for years to come.
ural light to extend into the interior spaces. Cedar shake roof“Rocky Mountain elegance is not something that’s trendy,”
ing with copper accents tops off a look that blends into the
Odegard says. “It’s a style that will hold its own over time.”
home’s surroundings.
A blend of unusual and beautiful finishes, such as stone fire“We based the design on the national parks aesthetic but
places that stretch from floor to ceiling and wire-brushed cedar
with a cleaner application on materials,” says Daugaard.
doors and windows, add character and warmth. Every space of
The expansive great room, connected to an open kitchen and
the home is accented with one-of-a-kind furniture, finishes, and
dining room, is stunning and inviting with massive flared-butt
accessories, such as hand-forged iron door
log columns under open beams. Just off this
handles, fireplace screens, and hand railings.
area, the Nolan family and their guests can
And each decorative and functional piece,
enjoy privacy in the den or media room while
from light fixtures to furnishings, was customremaining close to the center of activity.
sized to fit the space. A mix of rich, jewel-toned
“The open floorplan is really unparalled,”
FOR HOMES LOCATED IN
colors pulls in elements of the home’s stunning
says Nolan. “When we bring anybody through,
COOLER CLIMATES, CONSIDER
outdoor setting.
it’s quite inviting as you walk into the home
INCORPORATING A WARM
“I tried to incorporate the textures and colwith almost the entire first floor exposed to
PALETTE OF COLORS
ors found in every season in nature and bring
open beams and very significantly sized logs.”
THROUGHOUT THE INTERIOR
those into the home so it feels warm and invitA key selling point for the Nolans were the
TO CREATE A COZY AND
ing
all year long,” Odegard says.
lavish interior design specifications pulled
INVITING ATMOSPHERE.
Carefully planned outdoor spaces extend
together by interior designer Lisa Marie
DESIGN
48 LOG CABIN HOMES
tip
YOU DON’T HAVE TO BE A COOK TO LOVE THIS KITCHEN. BOTH BEAUTIFUL AND FUNCTIONAL,
THIS SPACE FEATURES CUSTOM CABINETRY AND A SPACIOUS ISLAND CONSTRUCTED OUT OF
HAND-HEWN ANTIQUE SPANISH OAK BY MOUNTAIN HIGH WOODWORKS IN BOZEMAN,
MONTANA. THE CABINETS WERE PAINTED ANTIQUE WHITE WITH AN ASH WASH FINISH TO ADD
BALANCE TO THE BACKDROP OF PREDOMINANTLY DARK WOOD TONES. THE FRENCH DOORS
AND WIRE-BRUSHED CEDAR WINDOWS, CUSTOM-DESIGNED BY MONTANA SASH AND DOOR IN
BOZEMAN, MONTANA, LEAD OUT TO THE PATIO AND OUTDOOR GRILL AREA, CONNECTING THE
INSIDE OF THE HOME TO ITS BEAUTIFUL MOUNTAIN SURROUNDINGS.
LOG CABIN HOMES
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BELOW: ELEGANT FINISHES AND ACCESSORIES IN EARTH TONES
IN THE MASTER BATHROOM BLEND TO CREATE THE PERFECT AT-HOME
RETREAT. THE TUB SURROUND AND FIREPLACE, CONSTRUCTED
OUT OF STACKED NATURAL STONE, ENHANCE THE HOME’S RUSTIC
QUALITIES WITHOUT BEING TOO MASCULINE.
RIGHT: IN THE MASTER BEDROOM, A NATURAL STONE FIREPLACE
THAT STRETCHES FROM FLOOR TO CEILING CREATES A WARM,
SECLUDED ENVIRONMENT FOR THE HOMEOWNERS. THE FIREPLACE ALSO
OPENS TO THE MASTER BATHROOM. THIS SPACE IS FILLED WITH
INTRICATE, CUSTOM-DESIGNED FEATURES, INCLUDING A HAND-FORGED
IRON CHANDELIER. LISA MARIE ODEGARD SELECTED A VARIETY
OF TEXTURES AND JEWEL-TONED COLORS TO CREATE AN INVITING
CONTRAST TO THE DARK HUES OF THE WOOD AND STONE.
Log Producer: Durfeld Log and Timber, British Columbia
Design: Centre Sky Architecture, Big Sky and
Whitefish, Montana & Denver, Colorado
Interior Design: Lisa Marie Design, Big Sky, Montana
Builder: Beartooth Builders, Livingston, Montana
A BUNK ROOM ON THE
UPPER LEVEL PROVIDES
ADDITIONAL SLEEPING
SPACES WHEN THE
HOMEOWNERS HOST
EXTRA GUESTS.
Bedroom
Bath
Two-story home i Square Footage: 5,077
Bedrooms: 4 Baths: 4 (full)
Bonus
Bedroom
Patio
Patio
MAIN LEVEL
Great Room
Patio
Kitchen
Patio
Bath
Bedroom
Den
Master
Suite
Bath
Bunk Room
Master Closet
the home’s living space for the family’s enjoyment.
Covered and uncovered patio spaces, a commercial-sized
barbeque, and seating areas overlooking the stream on
the property provide gathering areas where the family
can entertain guests or relax quietly in the peaceful
mountain setting.
Though the Nolans weren’t involved in the planning and
building stages of Bear Basin Ranch, they have been
impressed with the quality of their new log home. They recommend that prospective log home owners do careful
research and select the finest materials possible to match
the conditions of the area in which the home will be built.
“The quality of the builder is paramount because of
unique settling issues [of log homes] and the extreme
50 LOG CABIN HOMES
weather conditions to which these homes are often
exposed,” Nolan says. “These conditions require a considerable amount of time and attention to sealing the home. And
it’s important to consider the quality of the wood, the age of
the wood, and how the wood was prepared.”
Thanks to developer Olson’s vision, the Nolans found
the perfect getaway, which they hope to enjoy for years
to come.
“We go up to Montana as often as we can to get away
from the pressures of work and living in California,” says
Nolan. “It gives such a sense of serenity unlike any other
place I’ve ever known. We often take vacations abroad, but
even then, I’ve often thought that I’d rather be sitting in the
backyard of my Montana home.” i
Master
Bath
BUILDING
Bath
Media Room
Foyer
Dining Area
tip
TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE
BUILDING SITE’S BEAUTY BY
DESIGNING A STRUCTURE
THAT FITS IN NATURALLY INTO
THE TOPOGRAPHICAL FEATURES.
FOR COOLER CLIMATES,
ORIENT THE STRUCTURE TO THE
TRUE SOUTH TO TAKE ADVANTAGE
OF THE PASSIVE SOLAR
HEATING PROPERTIES.
UPPER LEVEL
Laundry
Bath
Patio
Mechanical
DOUBLE DOORS CONSTRUCTED OUT OF
SPANISH OAK SEPARATE THE MASTER SUITE
FROM THE REST OF THE HOUSE, PROVIDING
ADDED SOLITUDE FOR THE HOMEOWNERS
AND ACCESS TO A PRIVATE PATIO SPACE.
Going with the Flow
Garage
The expansive great room, kitchen, and dining area flow naturally
together, but architectural elements such as log pillars and interior
design touches divide the space into cozy sections. This allows the
homeowners to enjoy privacy when desired, or a large space when
they want to entertain family and friends.
EACH GUEST BEDROOM HAS AN
ATTACHED BATHROOM TO GIVE VISITORS A
SENSE OF PRIVACY WHEN THEY RETREAT
FOR THE EVENING.
LOG CABIN HOMES
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